October 2008
Whew ... almost to Christmas!!!! Yes you gotta believe it because the next time I get around to editting this page it will be Christmas 2008.

Ann has returned from Ghana and all is well. The children missed her and so did her husband. She is refreshed - a week on the beach will do that - and ready to assist those involved in serving!

Zion and Gabrielle are doing amazing in school. Of course, the report cards can be a bit pragmatic, but they enjoy going and learning! Gabi's reading is taking off and she where she rebelled against any reading, she now enjoys it tremendously.

As always, our efforts are only because God is at work in and through your prayers ... which continue to encourage us. We are surviving and thriving here in Nigeria. We just sent out our snail mail "prayer letter" so let us know if you received or if you did not, but want to receive it.

We are all doing well despite fighting off some serious colds. Lots of sneezing, wheezing and phlegm ... yuck. Anyhoot, we are gearing up for the dry season, despite having the rains hanging around for a weekly deluge.

Ann had a great visit to Ghana for a Member Care conference while the rest of us took an amazing trip to the mountains here in Nigeria. But now it is back to "business" with work and sch

July 2008
Halfway through 2008 and things are great! We do hope (and pray) that your lives are full and being blessed by God.

We had an amazing time in Egypt for our summer break. The kids spent 1 full week jumping between the pool and the Red Sea. Mom and dad enjoyed the down time and just relaxing ... being a family. Then, we hit Cairo in a full on tourist mode. Seeing pyramids, museums, ancient mosques, synagogues and Coptic churches (some dating built over supposed places where Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus resided).

We returned to Nigeria invigorated and ready to hit the new school year ... plus all our ministry obligations. The year already looks to be full and we are excited at continuing our efforts here in Nigeria.

As always, our efforts are only because God is at work in and through your prayers ... which continue to encourage us.

So, a great big "Thank You" and may God continue to bless you. Keep in touch!

FY 2007

November 2007
Greetings to all of you in this [North American]. season of Thanksgiving.  We were privileged to celebrate the Canadian Thanksgiving in October with friends and look forward to our American
Thanksgiving next week. Of course, I still sorely miss the beautiful autumn colors of Wisconsin.

Living in Nigeria continues to bring many blessings.  We are so grateful for friends that we laugh and learn with, the vivid designs of plants, creatures and fabrics around us, and opportunities to grow in
our richly diverse community.

Thanks …
We thank YOU for supporting us in unique and substantial ways. We are grateful for the creative ways that you “take care” of us while in the States and on the field.  Thanks to those who still send handwritten cards/letters, to those who send emails, (regularly or irregularly) and those who financially make it possible for us to be inNigeria, where God has us right now.

We are grateful for personal gifts sent for holidays or for no particular reason, for birthdays remembered and cards sent.  We cherish your prayers as we live in a foreign culture, attempt to see the world as God sees it, and to love as Jesus loves.

Kids …
Activities related to Hillcrest school keep us all busy.  Gabi continues to need lots of encouragement to do her homework, while Zion can’t get it done quickly enough.  I am still wondering how I ended up
as PTA secretary…and it looks like Kyle will be coaching girls basketball again this year.  Zion portrayed Martin Luther, rather dramatically, in a chapel service for Reformation Day (Oct 31).  And
Gabi has recently decided that she wants to be called Aisha - a name given to her at birth by our Nigerian friend, Tijani.  We will see how long this lasts.

Kyle …
Kyle keeps forging ahead in his various roles and between two offices. With one car, it takes some creative efforts to coordinate, but it is very workable.  He still enjoys traveling inNigeria , though he was robbed in a guest house several weeks ago.  We are so thankful that no one was physically injured tho many personal items were stolen.  He will continue leaning into his work as 2007 winds down.  He can tell you more about what he’s doing when he writes.

Myself …
For the first time, I feel like I am getting into a rhythm with life here and it is very encouraging.  Being in a house with space, having the kids in school and having a more defined role has all helped  I have enjoyed singing in a community choir which will perform Handel’s Messiah on Nov 30th (also our 11th wedding anniversary).

There have been several armed robbery attacks and threats in the last month affecting our community rather severely.  I have been involved with processing these events with missionary women and Hillcrest students.  Following these incidents, Kyle “gave me” the wonderful gift of a weekend alone at the house, while he took the kids to visit friends inAbuja.  All had a great time!

Lastly …
Food for the Hungry has asked me to attend a conference, to continue building my skills in “member care” issues.  Since it holds early January, and the grandparents are very eager to see the kids, I will be traveling with Zion and Gabi.  We will spendChristmas in Michigan and then head to Florida.  It will be very special for them to have a Christmas with family in America.  They want so badly to see snow!  We are grateful to those who have contributed to make this possible.  I will also be able to attend the wedding of a dear friend.  Kyle assures us that he will be plenty busy in our absence.

Prayers…
Well, I have done my best to keep this brief.  Thanks for remembering us in your prayers:
   - Healing in our community and wisdom concerning security matters.
   - Thankful for the health our family continues to experience.
   - Clarity as I make “yes” and “no” decisions.
   - Thanks for your generous gifts - continue pray for our remaining financial needs.

May 2007
After hitting the ground sprinting ... we are slowing down ... s l o w l y. It was great to see Kyle's parents and have time with their lives down in Florida. Then, a quick visit to Kyle's brother was encouraging, too.

His brother and wife, Toby & Alycia, live in Texas and are expecting their first child and also to come to Nigeria (in 2008). While in Texas, we were also able to see other missionary friends from Nigeria.

We split up in Texas ... Ann took the kids to Michigan and Kyle went to a conference in Arizona. We are back together!

It has been great to see Ann's parent's new place and they have been amazing hosts. Also a highlight, was seeing 3 of her 4 brothers (along with their families!). Ann and Kyle were even able to have a week at a Missionary Retreat ... without the kids! Great time to be together and pray about the future.

We are now gearing up for our month in Wisconsin. We'll start it out right in Door County as a family. The pastor from BCRC has allowed us to stay in their family cabin! Then we'll come back to reality and see the remaining family still left in Wisconsin. We'll share at 3 churches and hopefully see many friends!

March 2007

Well oh well ... January came and went ... then we lost February ... well at least we still have March.

Sarah and Rebecca have gone and settled back into their lives. Now we have two other guests ... Brynn and LaConia.

These two are here for 2 months and doing great. They will get around Jos and become exposed to alot of culture. They will also evaluate some CRWRC projects while they are here.

Bryn and LaConia have become part of our family ... Zion and Gabi are loving it. They have fond memories of people coming and going from the "upstairs". They have been busy showing their kittens and friends to them.

Ann is already getting ready for our return to the States in April. We would love to see as many of you as we can ... let us know.

Thanks for your communication and we pray for it to continue. Keep in touch and let us know what is going on in your life.

Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers.

January 2007
We predicted it would come and . at last! How were your Christmas and New Year's celebrations? Hope they were memorable and not too stressful.

We had a busy holiday. Christmas was spent at a mission center with friends. The kids had a fun time with their friends and some activities. Mom and Dad relaxed with a book (or in Ann's case 2 or 3) and sports (or in Kyle's case a lot). We were back in Jos for the New Year's celebrations - even went to church on New Year's day. It was more great memories as a family in Nigeria.

FAMILY ... AND EXTENDED FAMILY
Yep, we had 2 additions over the holidays. They came from the USA to"sample" African missions. Originally, they were coming as a women's field hockey team, but in the end only Rebecca (19) and Sarah (22) came on Dec 29th and left on Jan 9th. They were young, but so eager to be involved. They helped in hosting 2 Vacation Bible Schools (VBS) and encouraging some female athletes involved in our projects.

Zion and Gabrielle (Gabi) received used bikes for Christmas. It only took them a day or two to master it and they were off! It was fun to see both of them succeed at the same time. Zion (1st grade) has been honing his basketball skills with a neighbor boy who is in 6th grade - good practice. Gabi has been taking care of her kittens despite giving 3 away, 2 stray kittens have benefited from Gabi's loving attention.

Ann has been trying to keep warm during this dry and cold harmattan  season (dust from the Sahara and cold temperatures). She has enjoyed having the kids around during the break, but will be glad when they return to classes on January 10th. She has been coming to grips with several friends leaving Nigeria.

Kyle has encouraged the Urban Ministry coordinators on the computer and phone. He is also making arrangements for a visit by Darrow Miller (FH Vice President and author). Darrow will come to Lagos and Abuja to share his "Hope for Africa". Finally, he has been encouraged with the development of
the Sports Ministry program. Key people have been reached through trainings, visitations and one-on-one discussions to begin (or carry on) a church-centered sports project.

POLITICAL
Nigeria concluded primaries for the April 2007 Elections (Local, State and Federal levels -including President). There are over 20 Political parties and 10 contenders for President - although only 2 or 3 serious candidates all who are Muslim. Voter registration is in gear - albeit slowly - but April remains Election month.

Thanks for your thoughts, prayers and support. We remain encouraged and blessed by your "partnership" with us.

FY 2006

September 2006

Flying time never seems to land!? That sounded funny to say but it seems to be symbolically true. We are certain as you go through your daily routines and those definite adjustments you will agree that time has wings.

So, how are you? For many, it is nearing the end of the summer holidays. We hope that you had some great vacations, or just quality time with family and friends.

TRIP TO SOUTH AFRICA

After a hectic summer we had a relaxing time in South Africa. Thanks to Kyle’s parent’s timeshare and our frequent flyer miles it was a great trip. We enjoyed the cool weather, sunny skies and shopping in the supermarkets. The children enjoyed being a family, the monkeys that greeted them every morning and the wildlife park (where they saw many of their favorite animals).

SCHOOL

We returned to Nigeria on Sunday and the children were in school the following day. It is strange to have Zion gone all day at 1st grade and Gabrielle gone every day (half days) in kindergarten. They are happy to be back with their friends and in school – they love their teachers and class (how long does this last!?).

Zion is aspiring to be a world cup soccer star – he thinks he’ll join Team USA, although Team Nigeria could use his help. He does not complain with all the homework, but wishes to play more. Gabrielle enjoys singing “Blessed Be the Name” as often as she can – in the bathtub, car, or on an airplane! She has four cats (one which is due to deliver kittens soon) and loves spending time with them.

MEMBER CARE

Ann is still involved with Member Care/Crisis Response (various of on-field support) for missionaries and Nigerians. She is invited to attend a retreat and consultation in Ghana that will hold in October. It is sure to be an exciting event as 20 people converge from around Africa.

URBAN MINISTRY

Kyle continues to move Urban Ministry (UM) forward. A major accomplishment has been the realization of all four zones (Jos, Lagos, Abuja and Makurdi) having a functioning local Board, which appoints its own staff. Another milestone, was having the constitution amended (no small task in Nigeria) which will reflect the progress of UM and encourage collaboration between the zones.

SPORTS

Great things are happening through sports. We have conducted many clinics in basketball and soccer which allow us to reach out to the youth with peace issues and to present the Prince of Peace. As we train young men and women to carry out these trainings we see this as a tremendous tool.

VISION CONFERENCE

We continue to be involved with motivating denominations, leaders and individuals toward a Biblical Worldview and equipping them in doing Wholistic Ministry. The follow-up to the Vision Conferences (VC) in Lagos and Abuja has been tremendous. The city of Jos is planning a VC in November, which is hoping to see many from the Middle –belt and North of Nigeria attend.

MARCH 2006

After our last email letter your thoughts and prayers encouraged us. "Thank you". You have given us the opportunity to reflect on all that we are thankful for in our “partnership” with you.

So, what have “we” – that is you and us – done in the past year?

1. Helped over 200 widows, unemployed youth and orphans receive micro-finance training and receive a loan (ranging from $100 to $1,000).2. Trained over 1,000 leaders in Biblical Worldview (using the Bible as our mindset in determining our thinking, outlook and behavior, above our cultural beliefs) and Wholistic Development (developing communities equally through physical, social, spiritual and intellectual methods).

3. Worked with over 400 secondary school-age students in sports and sportsmanship development through a Basketball League, clinics, and one-on-one counseling.
4. Trained over 300 community leaders in 4 cities with HIV/AIDS awareness and community-based care.
5. Met with Muslim converts, widows, orphans, and pastors who were effected by religious fighting.

Thank you for your continued support. Your prayers, emails and financial contributions are greatly appreciated and allow us to carry out our ‘work’. The following hopefully is not putting “pressure” on you.

However, some of you have asked, “do you have any areas of need?” The answer, “Yes, we have a need for financial support in several areas”. Please pray about the following opportunities to assist financially – through a one-time or on-going gift.

They are:
1. YOUTH & SPORTS: Continuing our efforts to reach out to the Nigerian youth we use sports to bring them together and share. This allows us an opportunity to know them and challenge them on spiritual matters and peer pressure (sex, drinking, school, etc).

NEEDED: Prayers. Donations (basketballs, soccer balls, shoes,

shirts, uniforms, etc). Resources ($35 can sponsor a trainer

for a week-long session –&/or– $10 can pay for a participant

to attend a week-long clinic).

2. TRAINING: Building on the recent conferences, which bring our number of ‘those trained’ to over 1,000, we want to train those who will train others! We continue to cut across denominational lines, gender and age. We want to give participants the ability to train others in Biblical Worldview and Wholistic Development. We want to see engaged, credible, and high-impact local churches affecting real transformation in their communities and equipped individuals discipling their nations.

February 2006

Sannu and Hello
Greetings to you all though we are well into the New Year. Thanks for greetings and cards you sent our way. We still love to hear from you and are especially happy to receive photos (hint, hint). Though we both were back in the States at the end of last year, families and friends are missed during the Christmas season. We enjoyed time at Miango Rest Home (a conference center about 30 mins from Jos) where we celebrated the birth of Christ with many other Nigerian and missionary families. It has become a tradition for our kids and they enjoyed playing from morning to night. At least we, the parents, had some rest and time of renewal.

GRIEVING TOGETHER
Our Jos community suffered a great sorrow when on New Year's Eve, a 4 year old missionary boy died in a drowning accident. Justin Ward was a playmate of Gabi's and the family are dear friends of ours. Our friendship has continued on a deeper level, sometimes very draining as we cry, talk, look at pictures or just have a cup of tea together. It has been challenging to sort out how to deal with suffering. In so many ways, we have been encouraged in the midst of sadness. We have seen our mission/Nigerian community come together and offer support to the Ward family and each other in so many ways, beyond the usual. It showed how the body of Christ, in it's different facets/strengths becomes tangible. The family has been an encouragement to others as they bravely grieve. Please remember to pray for the Wards especially as they miss their son/brother deeply each day. We know that many of you have experienced the death of a child personally as well as the death of dearly loved ones.

Over the last months, Nigeria has suffered many other losses as a country. As we said last year, Kyle's boss (David Tyokighir) lost his wife unexpectedly. Then, there were two domestic plane crashes that killed over 250 people, one flight had over 50 children. Here, when a plane crashes it affects everyone. We did not know anyone personally on the flights, but many of our friends did. Then, the first lady, Stella Obasanjo died unexpectedly in October. In December we learned that there had been a fatal accident involving dear friends from the Port Harcourt YWAM school. It was a shock to learn that Willie, whom we knew well from our trips there as a family (and Kyle alone), was one of 14 who died. The brevity of life.

TENSION IN NIGERIA
You have heard of the recent hostage situations in the oil region. Just last week 9 foreigners were abducted after 4 were released only weeks ago. The reason remains, more share of the oil money to the community. It is unfortunate that they are targeting the foreigners who are here per government invitation - often the oil wealth does not trickle down to the people at the grass roots.

Then, on Saturday we heard that there was fighting in Maiduguri - more of the Mohammad Cartoon Protest. We have been to Maiduguri (9 hrs north of Jos) many times and have led workshops on loving your neighbor and reaching out to the community with actions. Over 12 churches were burned and at least 20 people have died. Kyle was invited last year and was planning to conduct further training there in April. We pray for peace.

Also, the Avian Flu has reached Africa starting in none other than Nigeria. It will be difficult to predict what will happen to the poultry market as it is a source of many incomes, livelihood and cultures. Not only do people eat chicken and eggs, but rely on it for a source of income. Chicken is (was) probably the main source of meat in Nigeria.

Finally, Nigeria will embark on their Census 2006 in March. They have decided to remove the questions that ask of "ethnicity/tribe" and "religion". It is probably better but it is not boding well with some on both sides of the "faith issue" - Muslim and Christians would like to know details. Oh yeah, Nigeria is already gathering momentum for the 2007 Elections. President, Governor and Local government seats are at stake and many want to see new faces.

FAMILY
Zion continues to enjoy school and looks forward to 1st grade next year. His class is all boys so some rough-housing has to be curtailed from time to time. His "free" time is spent constructing intricate and orderly buildings with legos/blocks in the house and sticks/rocks/sand outside. (Currently he has made a soccer game out of the chess set: Nigeria vs. US.) Gabi has taken up as our house secretary and jumps at the ring of the phone. She takes her self-assigned duty seriously and does a very good job politely learning who the caller is. Another favorite thing for her is "dress up" and prancing around in a tutu that was passed down to her. Together they play well and enjoy their "stuffed-up" animals. Our two kittens (one found in the rocks behind our house) add much comic relief for our family. Of course they are restricted to our porch due to Mom's allergies. Oh yes, they love to jump on dad at any chance they can and he is a willing participant.

Activities and ministry for Ann remains varied and flexible. Being involved with the Ward family has been a natural priority and a blessing. She continues her "shopping assistance" to visitors or those who find it a chore to "beat down" prices that are not fixed. She is treasurer for the kids class, sits on the board of Miango Rest Home (conference center), has begun to lead a women's Bible study (on the Patriarchs), and continues as part of Jos Member Care Team (JMCT). In addition to monthly inter-mission JMCT meetings and trainings (like the conf. she attended in Nov.), many practical opportunities arise for "care" to be given. Last week she was part of a group that went to debrief other missionaries after an armed robbery. Trauma is one thing that is not scarce here especially with increased lawless activity. A weekly women's support group has been very beneficial for her and the 8-10 women who comprise it.

Kyle remains actively involved in life. He has been in town for the past couple months except for a short trip to Abuja and Lagos. The next few months provide opportunities for more travel - Abuja, Lagos, Togo, Cameroon and Ethiopia. He was encouraged by the continued development of the Jos City Secondary School basketball league coordinated by his sports ministry team (They have 10 boys and 10 girls teams).

TIDBITS
* Friday afternoon I heard one Muslim guy say to another "Let's skeedaadle on over to the Mosque to pray". It struck me as a strange collision of cultures.
* Nigeria has copied the TV game show, "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" and the Grand Prize is N15,000,000 Naira (equal to about US $11,000)!